The Toms Barnetts' Escapades in the Dolomiti & Zillertal Alps: Ahornspitz with a warning, Edelhutte, snowman for Carla & Anna

It had rained a bunch during the night, so we were quite relieved when it appeared as if it was going to start clearing up during the day. We decided that it was worth setting off for Ahornspitz, one of the most popular mountains in the Zillertal Alps for hiking. At breakfast, I went over what everyone would need for the hike which included extra layers and such. When I mentioned a winter hat, everyone thought my suggestions were overkill. They changed their tune once our adventure got underway though.

James didn't put up too much of a stink about hiking because we told him we would be taking a cable car up the 1st section of the hike to 1960 meters and their would be apple strudel along the way at Edelhutte. The description of the hike mentioned "sure footed-ness" and a "head for heights" so Paul made his decision early that Edelhutte would be a cozy place for him to hang out while the rest of us attempted to hike to the summit. As we headed up the cable car and were able to see some of the summits as they went in and out of the clouds, everyone was surprised to see a fresh coating of snow on the summits. Turns out that a winter hat wasn't such a bad idea after all. With the sight of snow on the summits, we began to discuss if summitting would not be a wise idea as we did not have any microspikes.

The view from the cable car of Mayrhofen

It was early enough in the morning that we had the cable car to ourselves (or maybe everyone else knew that hiking the mountains in the snow was a bad idea)

Once we got to the top of the cable car, the kids quickly outpaced the adults with their hiking speed, so we decided that we would just meet them at the hut. The clouds were super cool as they moved through. Hiking and chatting with Paul, Petra, and Dan was super entertaining. It was just like old times except we all are a little slower (and maybe a bit wiser).

The view of Ahornspitz with Edelhutte just below it.

I'm pointing out Edelhutte and Ahornspitz in the background

When we arrived at the hut, everyone was a little chilly, but when we stepped inside, it was like getting a warm hut. The hut was cozy and had a warm fire in the woodstove. We did not delay in ordering some apple strudel and kaiserschmarrm. Plus, some hot chocolate and coffee to warm us from the inside. While the food and drink were wonderful, we were disappointed when the hut master said that they were telling everyone to NOT summit Ahornspitz because of the winter conditions and sketchy footing. Several hikers that we had met heading had also given a similar report.

After warming up and chatting with the hut crew, we came up with an alternative route to a view at Zum Glatzer (bald head) instead of heading up to the summit. The summit of Ahornspitz kept popping in an out of the clouds along the hike, like it was taunting us to check it out.

The whole Apfelstrudel Hiking team

The kids gave this pooch at the hut lots of love - it was so happy

Edelhutte

The clouds were so cool!

View at Zum Glatzer

Maya and Juno scrambled down to a kind of sketchy point with funky clouds and Mayrhofen as a backdrop

Dan and Paul hiking with the snowcapped summit of Ahornspitz in the background

The summit of Ahornspitz calling our names to summit

The view at Zum Glatzer

Such a happy hiker :)

Juno and James cloud watching

So happy to be back together!

After watching the clouds move in and out and admiring the summit of Ahornspitz for a bit at Zum Glatzer, we headed back to Edelhutte with a plan. Carla and Anna have not really been in snow (if it snows where they live, it melts immediately), so a subset of us would hike from Edelhutte to the snowline to play in snow. Paul and James decided to hold down the fort at Edelhutte while the rest of us headed up - those two were happy as clams.

When we arrived at the snowline, a few snowballs were thrown and, of course, we made a snowman complete with a wildflower for a nose. Anna was so happy to be in snow! We decided to hike a little further in the snow to a ridgeline and then turn around.

When we got to the ridgeline, the views were beautiful. It was fun catching glimpses of big mountains and glaciers when the clouds would break. So, we were at our turn around point...but we were SO CLOSE to the summit...and there were a few brave souls who were heading up...and it was getting warmer so the snow and ice were melting. As you can imagine, the summit was just too tempting, so Juno, Maya, and I kept going while the rest of the crew headed back to Edelhutte to make sure that Paul and James didn't eat all of the food in the hut.

The rugged gals of our trip!

After some fun scrambling and careful footsteps, we reached the summit. It was awesome! We felt like we were on top of the world. The three of us had so much fun together.

With full hearts, we boogied back down to the hut to meet the rest of the crew. The clouds were still putting on a pretty spectacular show, so some more photos were snapped.

After reconvening at the hut, we swapped stories. Apparently, Dan had brought a snowball back for Paul. Paul and James reported that they had full bellies (lots of sausages) and had chatted for hours together. I think James found his soulmate. The kids wanted to get back to the apartment in Mayrhofen, so they went on their own back while the adults casually hiked back. Paul even tested his skills and fear of heights on a suspension bridge :) We ended up getting the 2nd to last cable car down (which was packed!).

Once back at our apartment at Haus St. Christoph, we began making plans for dinner. Turns out that trying to find a place to eat for 9 people during peak holiday time in Austria is not easy. Petra was at her wits end. Finally, we just walked to place that we were unable to get to answer the phone and miraculously, they were able to seat us. The Universe really worked things out for us that night because it was the best food we had together. Lucky us!